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Vacant Land Stabilization Program
 Once a property is selected for stabilization in one of the six target areas, the transformation can begin. By disposing of litter, grading, and seeding, Philadelphia Green lays the groundwork for a remarkable makeover. The next step is to install trees and a simple wood fence to complete the look and prevent illegal dumping. Presently, more than 7 million square feet of land has undergone this treatment.
These green spaces aren’t meant to be permanent; rather the stabilized sites serve as placeholders to display the land’s full potential. The land may eventually be developed or converted to a community garden or park—both major steps toward making a neighborhood more desirable to businesses and prospective homeowners.
But cleaning and greening the lot isn’t enough. Maintenance is an equally important component to making vacant land management effective. As part of a contract with city government, all of the sites are divided by zip-code and assigned to a maintenance crew. Many of these lots are cared for by the Community LandCare organizations that also manage unimproved land. Each contracted group is required to tidy and mow their sites every two weeks from April through October. |
